Cedar Rapids teacher wins statewide honor

DES MOINES, IA (10/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Altemeier, a first-grade teacher at Grant Wood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, is the 2011 Excellence in Education Award winner. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, STAPLES, and Smilemakers. Altemeier was chosen from over 50 teachers nominated by co-workers, students, and community members because of the difference she makes every day in the lives of her students.

"This award recognizes the truly exceptional work done by educators to help their students succeed," said Chris Bern, president of the Iowa State Education Association. "When you read through all the nominations you can see how Iowa educators consistently exceed expectations in order to change the lives of their students."

Altemeier not only provides a top-notch first-grade education to her students, she also creates a safe environment in the classroom, providing individual attention, care, and nurturing to each and every child.

"Parents and educators refer to Liz Altemeier as a 'child whisperer," said Bern. "According to those who work with her, she earned the reputation because no matter what type of child, she helps them adjust and makes them willing and ready to learn."

Altemeier helped initiate a program called the Backpack Program to help underprivileged children at the school (over half the student population) who have little to eat at home on the weekend. Students receive a backpack on Friday filled with nutritious foods. As a result, students come to school on Monday healthy and ready to learn. In addition to getting this program up and running, Altemeier shopped, stuffed backpacks, delivered backpacks, and continues to support the program.

In one of the nomination forms, an education support professional who works with Altemeier in the classroom said she is the kind of teacher many educators hope their own children are lucky enough to have.

Now in its 12th year, the Excellence in Education Award is designed to honor the countless educators across the state who, like Liz Altemeier, make a difference in the lives of their students each and every day. Nominations were solicited beginning in September though October 7, and forms were available at local county Farm Bureau offices and through the ISEA.

Altemeier will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and her school will receive another $1,000 from the Iowa Farm Bureau during an awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, November 15, at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, also courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Runners-up will also be honored at the Excellence in Education banquet--Scott Bertelsen, a high school speech teacher and drama coach at Forest City High School; Janet Coon, a middle school science teacher at East Middle School, Sioux City; Debbie DeVore, a high school English teacher, speech and theater coach at Maquoketa Valley High School, Delhi; and Pamela Nichols, a fifth-grade teacher at Lakewood Elementary School, Norwalk.

All of the nominees, along with the individuals who nominated them, are invited to attend the awards banquet at no charge, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education...It's an Iowa Basic!